Multiple picture amusement device



H. L.. PERRY MULTIPLE PICTURE AMUSEMENT, DEVICE Filed Aug. 8, 1950 F/GJ.

March 28, 1933.

mama Mu. 28,1933

HARRY LAWSON PERRY, F JAIAICA, NEW YORK IULTIPLE PICTUBE .LHUSEHENT DEVICE Application lied August l, 1980. Serial llo. 473,840.

The obj ect of the invention is to provide a puzzle or amusement devicecomprising movable parts, each containing representations of parts of diierent com lete pictures, which may be adjusted to di erent relative positions to form said pictures.

In the drawing, which show a preferred embodiment of my invention Fig. 1 is a plan view of the device.

Fig. 2 is a cross section through the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the holding board with some of the strips in place.

Figs. 4 and 5 are sections on the lines 4 and 5 respectively of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a plan View of one of the strips. A holding board a, which may be formed of thick cardboard, is constructed to hold a series of longitudinally slidable flat strips, or ribbons, 1, 2, 3, 4, arranged in parallelism,

with the edges of adjacent strips contiguous, and a similar series of strips 5, 6, 7, 8, extending at right angles to the strips 1, 2, 3, 4.

The strips interweave in the manner of a one-and-one fabric weave; or (which is perhaps a better analogy) similarly to a basketv weave. For example, strip 1 extends successively over strip 5, under strip 6, over strip 7 and under strip 8; while the next strip 2 extends successlvely under strip 5, over strip 6, under strip 7 and over strip 8. There may be any desired number of strips in a series.

Each strip contains a number of picture squares, each of which extends laterally across the strip and along the strip for a distance equal to the width of the strip. Certain picture squares of each strip are adapted to mate respectively with other picture squares of the other strips to form a single complete picture. By sliding the strips longitudinally, the diierent picture squares which form units of a single complete picture may be correctly positioned. The solution of the problem of roducing a complete picture on the field o exposed squares is somewhat diilicult, since the number of relative ositions which the various strips may assume 1s almost infinite, and requires the exercise of 5 some intelligence and considerable patience,

besides affording profitable amusement to children and not inconsiderable relaxation to adults.

If the picture field contains sixteen squares, as in the embodiment illustrated, two picture squares of a single strip, spaced apart a distance equal to the len h of one picture s uare, will constitute umts of the same comp ete picture. Two other picture squares, similarly vspaced apart, will constitute units of another complete picture. Almost the entire length of a strip may, therefore, be provided with contiguous picture squares, two contiguous squares being units of different pictures. In Fig. 6, A, A, indicate units squares of one picture; B, B, unit squares of another picture; D, D, unitl squares of a third picture; and E, E, unit squares of a fourth picture.

The number of complete picturesy which may be formed is only limited by the length of the strips.

It is possible, also, by the exercise of some ingenuity, to provide for the production of A a complete picture com osed of units of which one unit, or each o two or more units, constitute also a unit of another picture or two or more other pictures. This arrangement is feasible particularly where the pictures are of similar character, as, for example, pictures of human heads, each comprising units which may register with other units of other human heads. Such an arrangement permits of a great and almost endless variety of group combinations without the use of impracticably long strips.

Different expedients may be adopted to hold the strips in slidable relation to the holder and to permit each of the strips to be readily manipulated in opposite directions. In the embodiment shown, the holding board a is provided, beyond opposite sides of the picture field, with slots through which strips extend so as to permit them to slide along the face and back of the holding board. I prefer to provide, for each strip, a slot b, beyond one edge of the picture field and three slots c, d and e, beyond the other end of the picture field. Each strip extends over board a, through a slot d, under board a1, through s slot c, over the picture field, interweaving with other strips as described, through a slot b, and back under board a, through a slot e and over board a. The two ends of the strip thus extend beyond the same side of the strip', one end over the other. By grasping and pulling one or the other end of the strip, the strip may be pulled 1n one or the other direction.

In constructing the com lete device, I prefer to mount the holding oard aon a baseboard h, securing the boards together at the corners, and permissively near two of the edges, by glue or mechanically, so as to leave the middle areas free, one from another, to allow the thin strips to slide freely between them. Over the holding board a is mounted an under-frame f which has a central square opening enclosing, and of the exact size of, the picture field. Upon the frame f is mounted an over-frame g, which is provided with a similar square central opening, preferably of greater dimensions than the opening'in frame f and which leaves exposed the edges of frame f surrounding the picture field. The frame f is preferably deeply cut away from the edges thereof beyond which the free ends of the strips project, to provide an appreciable Space between the holding board a and the over-frame, thereby facilitatin the free sliding of the strips.

he extremities of the strip are preferably reinforced by means of a lateral bar z', or otherwise thickened, to prevent them being pulled inwardly beyond the adjacent edges of the framework.

The strips may be formed of any suitable flexible material, such as tracing linen or other strong paper or fabric.

While the strips have been described as containing picture units, it should be understood that I mean to comprise by such expression any units, whether pictorial or not, which, when associated with other units, combine to form a composite unit. For example, the units may comprise letters which are adapted to be grouped into words, or words which are adapted to be grouped into sentences, or lines which are adapted to be grouped into diagrams, or sectional maps which are adapted to be grouped into maps of large areas, etc.

While it is preferred to make the units perfectly square, this is not essential, since they may be of other shapes, for example, oblong; and any number of (preferably) rectanguiar units may constitute a complete picture eld.

What I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. An amusement device comprising two series of independent strips, the strips of each series being in parallel relation, the stri s of one series extending at an angle to tiie strips of the other series and being interwoven therewith by extendin alternately thereover and thereunder, eacii strip being provided with areas containing picture units adapted, when grouped with other picture units of other strips of the same series and with picture units of strips of the other series to form different complete pictures, said strips being longitudinally movable independently of each other to visually expose dierent combinations of picture units.

2. An amusement device comprising a framework enclosing a picture field, two series of independent strips, the strips of one series extending alternately over and under, and at right angles to, the strips of the other series throughout said picture field, so as to visually expose thereon alternate rectangular areas of each strip, each strip extending from beyond one ed e of the framework through the picture eld and thence back under the picture field and beyond said edge, each strip being thus manually lon i- 

